There are many problematic binaries in the first three chapters of The House of The Spirits, one of which is the conflict between man and woman. This is seen between Esteban Trueba and Ferula, his sister. Ferula claims she is okay with taking care of her sick mother in the way that she does, but when there is nobody to see her generosity, she becomes resentful of her brother. Esteban goes out, works, travels, and comes home to visit his sister and his mother very rarely. Ferula's complaints are not at her brother, for his freedom, but at the sexist norms of the community. Ferula does not volunteer for the disgusting jobs because truly wants to help – she volunteers because that is what her society expects out of her because she is the woman and Esteban is the man.

Esteban is also in another sexist relationship, but this one is with Pancha Garcia. Esteban rapes her violently, and suffers no immediate consequence. In fact, the incedent only allows Esteban to manipulate Pancha furthur and she begins to become his full time kitchen and sex worker. She puts up no fight because she has been exposed to the culture her whole life, and expected such a thing to happen. Esteban shows no restraint, because he knows that in this community, he can get away with raping a fifteen year old girl.